Jeremiah 25:29
For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָעִ֜יר
on the city
H5892
בָעִ֜יר
on the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 26
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
קֹרֵא֙
for I will call
H7121
קֹרֵא֙
for I will call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 26
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שְׁמִ֣י
by my name
H8034
שְׁמִ֣י
by my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
6 of 26
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
עָלֶ֗יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֗יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֵחֵ֣ל
For lo I begin
H2490
מֵחֵ֣ל
For lo I begin
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
לְהָרַ֔ע
to bring evil
H7489
לְהָרַ֔ע
to bring evil
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
תִנָּק֔וּ
Ye shall not be unpunished
H5352
תִנָּק֔וּ
Ye shall not be unpunished
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
12 of 26
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
תִנָּק֔וּ
Ye shall not be unpunished
H5352
תִנָּק֔וּ
Ye shall not be unpunished
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
13 of 26
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִנָּק֔וּ
Ye shall not be unpunished
H5352
תִנָּק֔וּ
Ye shall not be unpunished
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
15 of 26
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חֶ֗רֶב
for a sword
H2719
חֶ֗רֶב
for a sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
17 of 26
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
קֹרֵא֙
for I will call
H7121
קֹרֵא֙
for I will call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
19 of 26
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
upon all the inhabitants
H3427
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
upon all the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Proverbs 11:31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.Ezekiel 38:21And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.1 Peter 4:17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?1 Kings 8:43Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.Jeremiah 49:12For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.Ezekiel 9:6Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.Obadiah 1:16For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
Historical Context
This argument would resonate powerfully with ancient Near Eastern peoples. Jerusalem was famous as the city of the great God Yahweh, housing the magnificent temple. If even this privileged city faced destruction, no city was safe. The logic was inescapable. When Jerusalem fell (586 BC), surrounding nations recognized this as divine judgment, not merely military defeat (Lamentations 2:15-16). The theological implications were clear: if Yahweh judged His own people, all nations stood accountable before Him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle 'judgment begins with God's people' challenge the assumption that church membership or religious heritage guarantees security?
- What does God's judgment of Jerusalem teach about the relationship between privilege and accountability?
- If God judges those who know Him for unfaithfulness, what does this imply about the certainty of judgment for those who have never acknowledged Him?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts. The phrase bāʿîr ʾăsher-niqrāʾ šĕmî ʿāleyhā (בָעִיר אֲשֶׁר־נִקְרָא שְׁמִי עָלֶיהָ, the city which is called by my name) refers to Jerusalem, the temple city bearing Yahweh's name. The logic is compelling: if God judges His own covenant city and people, how can pagan nations expect exemption? The rhetorical question wĕʾattem hinnāqēh tinnāqû (וְאַתֶּם הִנָּקֵה תִנָּקוּ, and should you be utterly unpunished?) expects a negative answer.
The emphatic denial lōʾ ṯinnāqû (לֹא תִנָּקוּ, you shall not be unpunished) reinforces certainty. Peter echoes this principle: 'judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?' (1 Peter 4:17). Greater privilege brings greater accountability. If covenant people face judgment for unfaithfulness, how much more those who never acknowledged the true God? Yet the reverse is also true—if God judges His own people to purify and restore them, there is hope for gentiles who repent (Romans 11:11-32).